Independent Cutler files for Maine governor

AUGUSTA, Maine — Former Carter administration official Eliot Cutler has filed paperwork to get his name on the November ballot for Maine governor.

Cutler, of Cape Elizabeth, Friday became the first independent candidate in the race to file more than 4,000 signatures of registered Maine voters with state election officials.

Ten nonparty candidates are listed as independent candidates. They face a June 1 deadline to file their petitions to appear on the general election ballot. The field of five Democrats and seven Republicans will be narrowed down in the June 8 primaries.

Cutler was a staffer for Maine Sen. Edmund Muskie before serving under President Jimmy Carter. He handled energy matters for the White House from 1977 to 1980.